Many people by now will have heard the acclaimed film – KPop Demon Hunters. It is the most streamed film in Netflix’s history and the songs have topped charts. But why is the film so internationally popular, especially since many may consider KPop to be a niche genre? Is the success deserved?
KPop Demon Hunters is set in a reimagined version of our world, where demons steal human souls. Unknown to the public, a trio of hunters protect society, using their songs to unify hearts. The story focuses on the group Huntr/x, especially their leader Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho with singing vocals by Ejae). The members must balance their fame as a girl group and their secret duties fighting demons. However, Huntr/x’s reign is threatened when the dangerously charismatic demon boy band Saja Boys debuts. What follows is a whirlwind of difficult choices, uncovered secrets and forbidden romances.
Although it is original and unique, why is the film such a sensation? Most importantly, the songs are undeniable hits. From the first second of How It’s Done to the final note of What It Sounds Like, the music takes you on an immersive and emotional journey with the characters. The songwriters have also cleverly integrated the narrative of the film into the lyrics.
An example is Rumi’s lines in Golden: “Put these patterns all in the past now, and finally live like the girl they all see.” This lyric reflects her desire to rid herself of the distinctive markings that she has hidden her entire life, which is one of the major drivers of the plot. However, like many of the lyrics, listeners can relate on a personal level. Who hasn’t tried to hide a supposed ‘flaw’ from others, to fit an image of who you should be? Concisely, the soundtracks are a perfect combination of powerful melodies and vocals, which are integrated into the story, but also have a wider social message.
However, what initially captivates viewers is the vibrant, fun and engaging animation style. Sony used 3D animation, which gives more depth to the visuals, as well as creating a stronger connection between the characters and audience. Comic book-style elements are also included, such as Zoey and Mira’s iconic heart eyes, for comedic effects. Overall, KPop Demon Hunters lives up to its marketing as a family film; with moments of laughter for children and adults.
For existing KPop fans, the film is largely representative of the genre and its components and these references are well integrated. Notably, demon boy band Saja Boys symbolise some of the darker sides of KPop. Abby Saja gets his name from his abs, which are the main focus of his character. Abby is a microcosm for the sexualisation of idols, which is unfortunately rife in KPop. Whilst this detail may be missed by large proportions of the film’s audience, it is an important acknowledgment that the genre is not always the cute and colourful world it is often presented as.
Additionally, Baby Saja is a symbol of the infantalisation of idols by their fans. This is a little more obvious to the wider public, especially as his only line in the film is “Goo goo gaga”. Once again, the writers and animators have taken a problem within KPop to the extremes in order to criticise it. The film even references common features of KPop culture, such as the music shows, lightsticks and intricate styling and choreography.
However, Demon Hunters has also been criticised by some for diminishing the actual amount of work done by KPop idols behind the scenes. Wooyoung, member of the boy group Ateez, said that idol life “is not actually like that” during a livestream. There were many moments in the film that he could have been referring to; the amount of food the Huntr/x members ate, the overly casual attitude of Huntr/x’s manager Bobby or simply the lack of shots showing the immense amount of work that goes into every group behind the scenes. It is important to note though, that Wooyoung emphasised that he enjoyed the film and the songs, it was only his experience as an idol that caused him to find some moments unrealistic. Furthermore, KPop Demon Hunters is a film for family entertainment, so to cover every aspect of idol life would simply take too long.
For those interested, KPop Demon Hunters also integrates the culture of South Korea. The group name Saja Boys has its origins rooted in Korean culture. Saja literally translates to lion, which is why the group logo is a lion, signifying their powerful and confident concept. However, the name cleverly has a second meaning, referencing Jeoseung Saja. Jeoseung Saja are grim reapers or death gods from traditional Korean myths. This emphasises the darker, hidden and demonic side to the Saja Boys; it’s clear why this name was chosen for the group. Additionally, Jinu’s beloved tiger (endearingly named Derpy) and bird (which keeps stealing the hat Jinu made for the tiger), were inspired by Minhwa folk art; a traditional painting style that often includes tigers and magpies.
The reason KPop Demon Hunters works so well is because it truly is a film for everyone and I would greatly recommend it if you haven’t already watched it. On the first watch, the songs, animations and twists provide an emotional rollercoaster that’s enjoyable for all. If you choose to watch multiple times, you will notice hidden details you missed before; it’s a film that keeps on giving.
So what does this mean for the future of KPop?
It is quite common online to see people stating that they didn’t intend to watch the film because it seemed ‘cringey’ or they didn’t like KPop. Despite this, most who watched it, loved it. This means that, hopefully, more minds will be opened up to KPop music. Speaking to non-KPop listeners, the stereotype that the genre is “cutesy” or “childish” is widespread. In reality, whilst some songs definitely fit this description, there are a plethora of concepts within KPop, creating numerous sub-genres – girl-crush, fantasy, retro, dark – to name a few. This means that it is highly likely almost anyone looking will find songs they enjoy.
The success of a film based on KPop naturally evokes the hope that more music fans will give the genre a chance. KPop’s global influence has been expanded, widening the possible audience for KPop groups. As the soundtracks went viral, more and more content creators began participating in the trends and challenges with the songs. This means that potentially millions of people are being influenced into viewing KPop more positively.
However, anyone unfamiliar with the genre who starts to listen to KPop songs and expects them all to sound like the catchy, refreshing soundtracks from the film, may be in for a rude awakening. There are a great deal of different sounds within KPop. For example, Stray Kids’s releases, such as S-Class or Hellevator, are powerful and experimental and are completely different to Illit’s dreamy and repetitive songs, such as Magnetic or Jellyous. There is even variability in sounds within a group; for example Tomorrow x Together (TXT)’s debut song Crown is bright and upbeat, a complete contrast to their most recent title track (as of writing this) Beautiful Strangers, which has a powerful and ethereal concept. In the case of TXT, the change in concept arose as the group naturally evolved and matured. Anyone new to KPop who finds they like one song, may discover they don’t enjoy other songs by the same group.
That said, the variety means that there are KPop songs and groups for almost anyone. The success of KPop Demon Hunters is highly likely to bring more and more international listeners into the genre, increasing the influence of South Korea’s entertainment industry. This is also not the first time that cinema has paved the way for South Korea’s culture to spread. The renowned Kdrama Squid Game quickly grew and maintained a massive global fanbase from the moment of its initial release in 2021. Through Squid Game, awareness of Korean culture quickly grew internationally, suggesting the same may happen in the months after the release of KPop Demon Hunters.
With funny and likable characters, catchy songs and plenty of narrative twists, it was almost certain that KPop Demon Hunters would not flop. I recommend this film to anyone who hasn’t yet watched it because, despite my initial skepticism, the film really is highly enjoyable (and not as cringy as it may sound).
